Your Support will Build the Future
Supporting ways to attract singers to barbershop harmony.
Funded by individuals who have seen the impact music can have in a person’s life.
We are grateful for the many contributions from the past which have made it possible for the Bud Leabo Memorial Fund to continue to support chapter projects and provide individual scholarships over the years. We would like to build up the “core” of the fund to insure that we will be able to support even more grant requests in the future.
Your contributions can be mailed to:
Bud Leabo Memorial Fund
11519 Durland Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
The BLMF is part of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions to the BLMF are tax deductible.
If you would like more information, email the trustees.
Grants & Scholarships AWARDED
Learn to Sing Programs
Columbia Gorge Chapter
Boise Chordsmen
Tag Writing
Attending HU
Director Training
Youth HX
Two Chapter Start-ups
Singing Workshop, Paul Ellinger
BHS Judge Certification
Youth Scholarships to HCNW
Chapter Information Booth
Outreach to Schools
Scholarships
Booth at OMEA Convention
High School A Cappella at Div. II
Harmony Explosion NW
Youth Barbershop Jamboree
QCED Quartet Contest
YWIH Workshops
Random Acts of Harmony
The Bud Leabo Memorial Fund was established as a working memorial to the precepts and philosophy of Bud Leabo. He firmly believed in the value of music education and the impact of barbershop on all aspects of life. His belief was that more fun and satisfaction are possible by means of a heightened barbershop experience.
The Bud Leabo Memorial Fund is an endowment fund. Disbursements are made from the interest earned on the fund. Twice a year reports as to the status of the fund and disbursements are made to the Evergreen District Board of Directors and the House of Delegates.
The Bud Leabo Memorial Fund vision has been expanded to raise and award funds for new ideas and initiatives to attract singers and fans to barbershop harmony. Grants are awarded annually for ideas that encourage and grow barbershop singing and membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society and are available to all organizations, institutions and to the general public.
John H. ‘Bud’ Leabo
Bud Leabo was born February 1, 1907 in Creswell; a small community just outside of Eugene, Oregon. His youth was spent in music – he played the violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, and organ. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon in 1926. He became Superintendent and Partner of Hills Creek Lumber Company, from which he retired in 1968. Bud met his to-be wife Velva at a dance in 1926 and married her in December of 1927. They had four children – three girls and one boy. They celebrated their fifty-fourth anniversary in 1980.
“He gave so much to so many, and helped them find in their lives something they never would have found except by his encouragement.” – Velva Leabo
In 1945-46, Bud helped to organize the Eugene Chapter. He was their director between 1949 and 1970 and brought them as high as second place in International Competition.
Bud was instrumental in organizing the Evergreen District and served from 1958 to 1960 as its President. He served for 5 years as District Music Education Chairman and as International Board Member for 2 years. He was a Category Specialist for Arrangements in 1960, and had over 100 arrangements of his own. He was elected Evergreen District Barbershopper of the Year in 1964 and in 1982 was inducted into the Evergreen District Hall of Fame. He was quartet coach for the Journeymen (1962 District Champions), The Most Happy Fellows (1977 International Champions), Lion’s Share (1975 District Champions), Bay Shore Four (1966 District Champions), and many others.
